Lent is a sacred season in the Catholic Church, a time of penance, prayer, and preparation for the glorious celebration of Easter. It lasts for 40 days, mirroring the time Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before beginning His public ministry. As Catholics, we use this time to turn our hearts back to God, seeking to grow in holiness through the traditional Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
The Catholic Meaning of Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, when we receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of repentance. The priest reminds us: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). This moment calls us to humility and conversion, setting the tone for the Lenten journey.
Throughout Lent, the Church calls us to:
- Pray: Deepen our relationship with God through personal and communal prayer, including the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and Eucharistic Adoration.
- Fast: Follow the Church’s guidelines for fasting and abstinence, denying ourselves worldly comforts to focus more on Christ.
- Give Alms: Practice acts of charity, whether through financial donations, volunteering, or simply offering love and kindness to those around us.
The ultimate purpose of these Lenten practices is to prepare our hearts for the greatest feast of the Church year: Easter, when we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Teaching Kids About Lent in a Catholic Home
Lent is a beautiful opportunity to teach children about the richness of our Catholic faith. Here are a few ways to help them enter into the season:
- Use a Lenten Calendar: Mark each day of Lent and highlight key feast days, solemnities, and the special moments of Holy Week.
- Encourage Small Sacrifices: Help kids choose something to give up or a good habit to build, linking their sacrifices to Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
- Read Scripture and Lives of the Saints: Share Gospel passages about Christ’s passion and stories of saints who lived lives of great penance and devotion.
- Incorporate Catholic Traditions: Attend Stations of the Cross, pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, and practice meatless Fridays together.
- Acts of Charity and Mercy: Inspire children to help others by doing small acts of kindness, writing letters to the sick or lonely, or contributing to a family almsgiving project.
Free Lenten Journey Printable for Catholic Kids
To make Lent more engaging and meaningful for children, I’ve created a free Lenten Journey printable that you can download and use at home or in your classroom!
Click here to download your PDF “Lent Free Printable”
For more Catholic resources for kids, explore our collection of free printables and faith-building activities.
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